Neuroprotective Effect of Ethanol Extract of Moringa oleifera Leaf on the Neurofibres of Cerebellum of Quinine-treated Adult Wistar Rats

Aim: The neuroprotective effect of ethanol extract of Moringa oleifera leaf on the myelin and neurofibres of cerebellum in quinine treated adult Wistar rats was studied.

Place of Study: Department of Anatomy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Study Design: Thirty-five (35) rats weighing between 180 – 200 g were randomly assigned into seven groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 served as the control while Groups 2 - 7 were the experimental groups. Groups 2 - 4 received 10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg body weight of quinine hypochloride injection intramuscularly eight hourly for seven days, respectively. Animals in Group 5 were administered 250 mg/kg of Moringa oleifera leaf extracts and 10 mg/kg body weight of quinine; Group 6, 500 mg/kg of the extracts and 20 mg/kg of quinine while Group 7 received 750 mg/kg of extracts and 30 mg/kg quinine, all for 7 days.

Methodology: Twenty-four hours after final administration, the animals were sacrificed under chloroform inhalational anesthesia. Brain tissues were perfused with phosphate buffered solution, harvested and processed for histomorphological observations of the myelin and neurofibres of the cerebellum using Belcshowsky and Marchi’s staining techniques.

Results: Results revealed that quinine caused neuronal distortions, nuclear degenerations, thickened neurofibres, vascular congestions, degenerative changes on myelin with vacuolations in the cerebellum. Incorporation of the Moringa oleifera extract to the quinine treated groups revealed neuronal regenerations and restoration of normal cerebellar cyto-architecture.

Conclusion: The results revealed that Moringa oleifera leaf extract has neuroprotective effects on the myelin and neurofibres when exposed to quinine neurotoxicity.